r t 3 OLK AT THE ARK Missouri's John Hartford Trio comes into town Friday at the Ark. Be there to witness John Hartford himself clogging on a piece of plywood during the show - it's sure to be a treat. ARTS Wednesday July 10, 1996O I - - I Effects extravaganza 'Independence Day' explodes into theaters By Ted Watts secret Area 51. All the primary human characters Daily Arts Writer are more or less likable, so when Captain Steven "Independence Day" ("1D4") is the effects Hiller (Will Smith) or the President (Bill Pullman) extravaganza of the summer. Like "Terminator 2" does something violent to one of those bio- .nd "Jurasic Park" before it, a armored otherworldly fiends lot of money has been spent on ; EW we can all cheer. A couple of both the production and its independence Day the characters get together massive ad campaign. And Directed by Roland Emmerich romantically, people's lives while "ID4" isn't as well- WithWill Smith, Jeff Goldblum and are given meaning by having formed as either of those Bii Pullmansto fight the aliens, and the movies, it's no slouch either. ***oaSoc5 character with the most The movie follows half a annoying voice in the film dozen disparate threads that eventually come gets to die. It's not innovative storytelling, but it's together because extraterrestrials have come to still entertaining. rape the earth. Everyone in power is confused The movie is essentially a spectacle. There are a about the huge objects coming into orbit around whole lot of special effects in the film. And, inter- the planet, and people are either frightened or estingly, they tend to be of ships, not actual aliens. elated to see spaceships hovering over major This is opposed to most sci-fi movies, where it's cities. Everyone is uniformly panicked when the cheaper and more story-effective to have one guy ships destroy the cities they are hanging over, in a rubber suit running around than a couple of though. Humans fight back, with futile effort, in hundred alien fighters being filmed in stop- a dangerous last-ditch effort to destroy the filthy motion. But with all the references to the Gulf War invaders, et cetera. in the film, it makes a lot of sense that its an air "I4" ends up having a bunch of characters war being fought with minimal interaction with floating around in it, all of whom end up at the the other side, outside of the ships. There is prece- Tnis really wun snaippen. wls ia stilvmm =mm;tur movisei auna.epesnene uay.--4 dent for this sort of thing - "War of the Words" comes to mind - but it has been done on a much larger scale in "I4". It's actually fairly disappointing just how little we see of the aliens. Don't be fooled by the action- figure line with its four different types of aliens; we see only two in the actual movie, and one of those was for less time than we saw Greedo in "Star Wars." Oh well, the movie isn't about people or aliens anyway. It's about a bunch of stuff that happens with a lot of explosive power behind it, a slick exoskeleton on top of it and a lot of planetary jin- goistic dogma/para-environmentalistic ranting filling it like creamy white frosting fills a Twinkie. Hmmm, sounds kind of like a taco. And remember, don't get a taco if you want a bologna sandwich or a burger, and especially not if you feel like steak. But you know, tacos can taste pret- ty good. Boston's Come comes to the ferent musicians for the recording of PREVIEW this album, including members from Shelter for a near life x erie the Jesus Lizard, Retsin, Tortoise and e PSonora Pine). Whoever's playing on ' The Sheller-k. By Heather Phares the tracks, it's clear from the opening D open a 630p.m. Daily Arts Writer "Near Life Experience," (Matador) of "Hurricane" that Come is re-ener-Tcare 6M T0 Come covers old musical territory gized, and that "Near Life For many groups, when half of the and also heads in new, exciting Experience" is its most concise and The chance to see the newest incar- band departs, it's quitting time. Yet directions. affecting release yet. The group's nation of Come is just as exciting as the s ' for Boston's Come, losing the band's Singers/guitarists Thalia Zedek and bluesy-punk is still apparent on group's always-challenging music. longtime bassist and drummer lent Chris Brokaw weathered the departure "Bitten'" but the group stretches with Don't miss this show if you're a fan of the band a new lease on life. On the of the band's original rhythm section a gentle ballads like "Weak As the honest, powerful and often frightening- group's aptly titled third album year ago (they're replaced by 11 dif- Moon" and "Slow Eyed." lv beautiful music. Come come now, it's Come i mmer LSA Class Size Limited to 15 Studente Free Tutoring 4 Full-Length Practice Teste * 12 Additional Tests for Home 0 Free Computer Software 0 Guaranteed Score Improvements 3e prepared the firet time! = THE Class7es hes 0( I/ New Fitness Center New Activities Center with Billiards Brand New Interiors with New Appliances " Studios, 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments and 2 Bedroom Townhomes It Pets Welcome I Minutes from U of M Apartents =TownhoMes 434-1016 REVIEW BEER TASTING WHEAT BEERS FRUIT FLAVORED BEERS CIDERS a. ssooc-.. vc. July 15th. 313)66372163 in Tori Amos Dew Drop Inn Tour '96 JULY 31 - 8:00PM STRANAHAN THEATER At The Masonic Complex - Toledo Tickets on sale nowat The Stranahan Theater and all van ,- outlets. Chargeo (810) 645-6666 For more information call (419) 381-8851 U July 11 7pm-1Opm $15.00 advance ticket purchase 338 S. State Street 996-9191 -